Who Was Allowed to Speak
Who Was Allowed to Speak
The access question has a second axis, and this lesson takes it in the same way as the first: by reading what the texts actually contain, in both directions.
Lesson 6 mentioned Gārgī Vācaknavī in passing, as one of the voices in the Upaniṣads. Read for what it shows about standing, the passage does more.
The setting is a brahmodya, a formal contest of theological questioning at Janaka's court, with a prize of a thousand cows. Yājñavalkya claims the prize before answering anything, and the assembled brahmins must challenge him in turn.
Month 1
Who Was Allowed to Speak
Month 2 · Lesson 36. The Upaniṣads contain a woman who sets the terms of a debate among brahmins and wins it. The lawbooks close the door she walked through. Both are in the tradition, and the lawbook says exactly how the door was closed.
5 min
This lesson belongs to Membership. The first six lessons stay free, always. Membership covers Lesson 07 onward, and new lessons as they are published.
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Membership covers Lesson 07 onward, and new lessons as they are published.